Time of possession key in the Big Easy

I have been researching a bit on projected fantasy rankings for Week 12 and I have noticed that Ryan Grant isn’t being given a whole lot of love. In fact, his name doesn’t appear anywhere near the top of these lists it seems.

A few weeks ago, Atlanta played New Orleans in Atlanta. Because Mike Smith of Atlanta is one of the brightest new coaches around, they put into place a very sensible game plan: own the clock. They ran the ball, threw when necessary and kept Brees off the field when the game mattered. The final time of possession stats were only Atlanta 31 minutes and change and New Orleans 28 and change. But much of that difference was made up by New Orleans in garbage time as Brees caught fire and took the team down the field for some late, but irrelevant scores because the game had already been decided.

While we will have opportunities to exploit the Saints’ weak secondary, I would recommend to McCarthy, whom I know sits down to read this blog every Friday morning for tips, that the Packers really get the ground game going and get the Saints D tired. Yes, we can still take some shots down field and let Jennings, Driver and co dismantle their secondary. But keeping the number “30” in mind for carries for Grant would be sensible going into this game. (I’m not just saying this because Grant is my fantasy back, but I’m saying this because it worked many times last year and of course, it worked like mad last week).

8 Responses to “Time of possession key in the Big Easy”

I think the Packers’ pass defense can hold their own against Brees and his receivers.

But when the Saints defense is giving up on average 4.3 yards per carry, it only makes sense to give them frequent doses of Grant left, Grant right, and Grant up the middle. Add in some play-action, and serve hot in the end-zone.

Andy, I think you just described the Colts game. Grant ran 31 times in that game. I think Manning only got only 3 possesions in the first half. The Pack controlled the clock with Grant and some long drives. Manning got the ball more in the 2nd half but that was because the defense kept scoring TD’s!

Deuce and Reggie are both working through injuries this week. Deuce was held out of practice. I guess he had his knee drained of fluid on Wednesday. Reggie was ‘limited’ on Thursday and the coach says he is further along there were he was the previous week in which he ended up being a scratch. Both players say they will be ready to play and the extra day may help them get ready. It sure would be nice not to have to worry about Reggie Bush on that carpet….